Leonard Abbeduto, PhD, FAAIDD

My goal is to ensure that AAIDD meets the changing needs of professionals in the field of IDD for decades to come. Toward this end, I will pursue three objectives. First, I will work to find new ways of attracting and supporting early career professionals, including expanding mentoring programs, supporting peer-to-peer networking, and involving early career professionals in AAIDD leadership positions. Second, I will work to increase the involvement of researchers from a range of disciplines in AAIDD, including a more visible and meaningful presence in the annual conference. Third, I would encourage and help to integrate technological innovations into the organization’s operations, including the use of open access and electronic publication and creation of more short-form publications that translate research findings into usable strategies for practitioners. In pursuing these objectives, I would also help establish metrics to evaluate the impact of new activities on the organization and field.

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)